Tickets for concerts, sporting events, and other forms of entertainment can be hot commodities, especially for the most popular artists or when two big-game rivals face off. But the days of waiting in line to purchase tickets in cash are long gone.
As tickets become more challenging to purchase—and more expensive—one way to secure your seat is with a credit card. For starters, it can help you ensure that the transaction is safe. It can also allow you some extra time to pay off the tickets if you don’t have the full amount available in your bank account. Additionally, some credit cards with entertainment rewards offer exclusive access, presale tickets, preferred seating, and other perks for cardholders.
Learn more about how to use your credit card to buy event tickets, access presales, and score entry into exclusive events.
How to find the best credit card for purchasing tickets
When reviewing credit card issuers, it’s important to review all of the factors that will directly impact you as a cardholder. And if you enjoy attending live events throughout the year, this means you may want to look into a credit card that offers benefits related to entertainment purchases.
Research is crucial
Finding the best credit card for purchasing tickets requires research. You can start by figuring out where you stand credit-wise. If you have a higher credit score, you’ll have more card options available to you. For example, some rewards credit cards or travel credit cards may require you to have good to excellent credit.
Once you find some cards that match your needs, you can start to dig deeper into each card’s details. Look for features such as an annual fee, cash back rewards or rewards points, and a welcome bonus. You can also explore all of the extras. These can include perks like:
Exclusive experiences
Concert VIP packages
Invitation-only events
Meet-and-greets with the artist or cast
Are there event-based benefits available with my credit card?
Credit cards vary when it comes to the benefits they provide. The key is finding one that offers you the most value. If your focus is to maximize your entertainment purchases, think about what types of perks are most appealing to you.
You may want early access to ticket purchases, or you may want to gain entry to live events that are exclusive to cardholders. Here are some event-based credit card benefits to explore.
Ticket presales
Gaining early access to tickets for a popular artist’s concert or a major sporting event can sometimes mean the difference of attending the show or not. Some credit cards provide a special access code that cardholders can use to purchase tickets a day or two in advance. You’ll have to pay for the tickets with that card.
Bonus rewards
Rewards credit cards let you earn points or cash back, and in some spending categories, the rewards rate may be higher. For instance, some cards let you earn bonus points at grocery stores, gas stations, or restaurants. Others may offer bonuses for travel-related purchases. There are also select credit cards that provide bonus rewards for entertainment purchases, which can include event tickets.
Preferred seating and VIP access
If you’d rather enjoy a more intimate event experience rather than getting lost in the nosebleed section, this can be another reason to see if your credit card has any entertainment-related benefits. Some cards offer special seating sections for cardholders, which may include suites or lounge access.
In other cases, cardholders may get exclusive event access, which allows for early entry into an event or a VIP-level experience. You may even get invited to a cardholder-only event in a smaller venue that allows for an up-close experience with performers.
How do I purchase tickets with my credit card?
Purchasing tickets with a credit card is simple. If you’re buying from a provider like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, or a third-party seller, simply add your card as your payment method at checkout. If you’re buying in person at a box office or venue like Madison Square Garden, bring your card with you to tap or swipe to pay for your purchase.
If you’re having trouble finding tickets, you may be able to contact your credit card issuer for assistance, because some cards offer a concierge service. The concierge hotline will connect you with a specialist who can assist you with finding tickets to top sports and entertainment events. If it’s looking like an event is close to selling out, it may be worth calling the concierge to see how they can potentially help you.
Who can use rewards to buy event tickets?
Rewards credit cards have their own rules regarding how you can redeem your earnings. In some cases, you may be able to redeem rewards directly or pay with rewards when making event ticket purchases. Terms apply, so be sure to read the fine print to understand the rules. For other cards, you may be able to redeem for a statement credit on past purchases, which may include your tickets.
If you have a cash back credit card with an ample cash back balance, you may be able to cash in and apply a statement credit right after you purchase event tickets.
Should I buy tickets with a credit or debit card?
When it comes to making online purchases including tickets, there are some reasons why a credit card should be the preferred method over a debit card, even if there aren’t any additional event ticket benefits involved.
Credit cards offer a more secure transaction
When you’re inputting your financial account information online, it may be safer to use a credit card rather than a debit card. One reason is access to your direct funds. If someone hacks your debit card information, they can potentially drain your bank account.
On the other hand, credit cards typically have zero fraud liability. This means that if someone uses your account in a fraudulent way, you may not responsible to pay for any of it if reported promptly. If a fraudulent transaction takes place with a debit card, that amount of money may be tied up during the bank’s investigation, which can be a major inconvenience. Also, if you don’t report the fraud to the bank in a timely manner, you could be on the hook for as much as $50 to $500.
Most debit cards don’t offer purchase rewards
If you have a points or cash back rewards credit card, you may earn a bonus when making a large purchase like event tickets. However, most debit cards do not provide any type of cash back or rewards points program.
Credit card issuers may be easier to deal with if there’s a problem
Many credit cards offer purchase protection and generally make it easy to file a dispute if you have a problem with a merchant. With a debit card transaction, you may need to deal with the merchant directly to try to get a refund.
Buying event tickets with your credit card
Purchasing event tickets with a credit card offers security and convenience, along with the potential for exclusive perks like presales and VIP experiences. Your card may even be the difference between getting seats at a show that may otherwise sell out in minutes.
When you’re considering a new credit card with entertainment rewards, you must do your own research. Remember to look into features like annual fees, cash back rewards, and rewards points programs. Plus, keep an eye out for entertainment perks like early access to tickets, bonus rewards, preferred seating, and VIP access.
